In Summary
- The event was a networking session to create synergies between Google and the software engineers.
- This is by bringing first-hand Google experiences to industry talent in communities around the world, particularly those untapped by the tech industry.
- Google hosted 150 software developers and technical industry professionals to a full-day event of talks and workshops in Nairobi.
- Dubbed Google Sandbox, the programme seeks to activate partnerships to deepen relationships within the local tech community.
- The event was a networking session to create synergies between Google and the software engineers.
- This is by bringing first-hand Google experiences to industry talent in communities around the world, particularly those untapped by the tech industry.
- The event engaged talent and brought together partners and professionals from across the industry to connect and build long-term partnerships with Google.
- This comes nearly a month after Google Kenya celebrated its 15th anniversary since opening its Africa office in Kenya.
- The event was presided over by President William Ruto.
- Sandbox showcases Google’s technology and culture through an immersive environment of collaboration, innovation, testing, and learning.
- They provide exposure to Googlers, career opportunities, and support professional development.
- Google’s head of developer ecosystem in Subsaharan Africa John Kimani said the software developers’ event strengthens Google’s engagement with talent in Kenya.
- “Since we opened our first office in Nairobi in 2007, we have helped to strengthen an internet ecosystem in Africa that is vibrant and self-sufficient in the long term,” Kimani said.
- He said that in 2017, Google committed to training 100,000 developers in Africa.
- Through their Google Africa Developer Scholarship programme, Google has trained more than 105,000 developers.
- “This engagement is just one part of our overarching work to support and contribute to the broader tech talent ecosystem,” he said.
- Google country director for EA, Agnes Gathaiya said that African-based software engineers will create transformative products and services for people in Africa and around the world.
- “Google believes that to build for everyone, we need a diversity of perspectives and ideas to have better discussions, decisions, and outcomes,” Gathaiya said.
- The Sandbox programme builds on the development term, “sandbox” as an environment for testing, experimentation, and learning.
- It aims to engage and support local tech communities and partners that have been previously untapped by Google.
- They aim to foster connections between Google and these communities, inspire them to collaborate and innovate, and brand Google as an employer of choice for underrepresented talent.
